THE LAST TIME AT COVA DA IRIA:
"Our Lady's prediction that she would go to Lisbon to suffer greatly for sinners was about to be fulfilled.
On the eve of her departure, knowing that she was going to leave Fátima forever, she asked her mother to take her to Cova da Iria.
The good woman placed the little girl on a small donkey.
Extremely thin, with a deathly pallor, burning with fever and trembling with cold, she barely managed to hold on to the tiny, gentle animal.
Upon arriving near the Lagoa da Carreira - now leveled - she dismounted.
For greater penance and out of respect and devotion to Our Lady, she wanted to walk the last part of the way on foot.
She gathered a branch of flowers and, praying the rosary, directed her trembling steps towards the blessed place.
There, with all tenderness and love, she laid down the branch of flowers - a symbol of her life, all of it a flower at the feet of Mary; there she lingered in quiet and fervent prayer.
With what longing and sadness she parted …More